Homemade Italian Meatballs
A classic comfort food recipe featuring savory ground beef and tender meatballs cooked in a rich homemade tomato sauce, perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil for browning
For the Tomato Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 chopped onion
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp sugar (optional)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
- to taste Fresh basil leaves (optional)
Instructions
Preparation of Meatballs
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and salt and pepper. Mix everything gently until the ingredients are well incorporated.
- Form the mixture into small meatballs, approximately 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, and arrange them on a plate.
Cooking
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches and brown them on all sides for about 5-7 minutes.
- In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, then add the chopped onion and sauté for about 3 minutes until translucent.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for another minute.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes, add dried oregano, sugar (if using), and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Return the browned meatballs to the skillet, cover, and let them simmer gently for about 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed, and garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.
Notes
For best results, do not overmix the meatball ingredients. Monitor cooking times to avoid overcooked or undercooked meatballs. Serve over spaghetti or in a sub roll.